Simone Moales, 11, of Bridgeport, daughter of Bridgeport Board of Education member Kenneth Moales, Jr., speaks in support of proposed charter school Capital Prep in front of the State Board of Edcation in Hartford, Conn. on Wednesday, April 2, 2014.

Emeka Dan, a math teacher at Bassick High School in Bridgeport, waits his turn to speak against any new charter schools before the State Board of Edcation in Hartford, Conn. on Wednesday, April 2, 2014.

Shiloh Baptist Church Pastor Carl McCluster, of Bridgeport, addresses the issue of new charter schools as the first of over seventy speakers in front of the State Board of Edcation in Hartford, Conn. on Wednesday, April 2, 2014.

Andrea Comer, a state school board member who works for FUSE, a charter management firm, recused herself on that discussion and vote, since FUSE Director Michael Sharpe is associated with the New Haven charter.

Then, at the urging of board member Charles Jaskiewicz, the board took up and voted to approve two other charters that had gone through the vetting process but had not been immediately recommended for action by Commissioner of Education Stefan Pryor.

Capitol Prep, a charter school that would be located in Bridgeport, and Stamford Charter School for Excellence would open in fall 2015. Operators of both schools waited through the meeting and were ready when called upon.

The decisions to approve, met with tears of happiness by charter school supporters, depend on the state Legislature retaining $8.4 million in new charter school funding in the 2014-15 state budget and approving additional funding in 2015-16.

"I strongly believe that every child in Bridgeport deserves a fair shot at getting a high-quality education," Finch said. "And high-performing public charter schools in the Park City and across the state are preparing kids for college and to compete for 21st century jobs."

"What we need are stronger public schools so that every child, not just the lucky few, get a quality education," Farrell said. "We don't need a school system of `haves' and `have-nots.' "

The approvals also come despite strong protests. The Bridgeport school board had asked that a moratorium be placed on new charter schools in the city. Stamford's Board of Education voted to urge the state reject the charter there.

"Our district has myriad needs and can't afford to be saddled with a potential $13 million burden." Bridgeport Board of Education Chairwoman Sauda Baraka said when it was her turn to speak. "If we are forced to fund additional state charter schools with no new resources from the state or federal government, our charge to close the achievement gap will be derailed."

Like many of the other 71 people signed up to speak in Hartford, Baraka waited downstairs in an overflow room, watching the proceedings on a large screen, until she was called.

Much later, Stephanie O'Shea, co-president of the Stamford Parent-Teacher Council, delivered a similar message.

"This school is not wanted," O'Shea said of the Stamford charter, noting that an online petition collected 825 signatures opposed to the plan in two days.

But for all the speakers who warned that additional charter schools would drain resources from underfunded school districts, there were others who said parents can't wait for the school district to improve.

"Look beyond the politics, beyond elections. Get to the facts," the Rev. Carl McCluster, of the Shiloh Baptist Church, urged the state school board. "We need your help right now."

The Rev. Janene Hawkins, another Bridgeport pastor, said she was not arguing that charter schools should replace public schools, but she said charters should be an option for students.

The state has 18 charter schools serving 7,096 students. With the approvals Wednesday, plus another charter school slated to open this year in Windham, there would be 23 by fall 2015.

State funded, the charter schools run independent of local school board control. The state gives the schools five-year charters that they have to live by or close. The state Department of Education said all four new charter schools -- among eight considered -- demonstrate a strong capacity to operate high-quality schools.

Great Oaks would focus on students who are learning English as a second language. It would serve 100 sixth-graders to start, and would reserve 25 percent of its slots for English language learners. It would have a longer school day and year than other Bridgeport schools, and give all students two hours of tutoring a day.

Some speakers questioned Great Oaks' success in Newark and New York where it also has schools.

Christina Grant, lead applicant for Great Oaks, said her school would deliver.

"Don't let the words you have heard today be the indicator of all that has taken place," Grant said. "I can promise you we just won't have 100 children that apply. We arguably would have 1,000."

Capitol Prep, proposed by Steve Perry, a Hartford public magnet school principal, is to have a theme of social justice, a longer school day and year, and strive to send all graduates to four-year colleges.

During a midday break in the proceedings, Perry said he could tell his side was "winning."

He characterized testimony by his speakers as "compelling" and criticism as being all about state funding.

Theresa Hopkins-Staten, vice chairman of the board, wondered about the funding and what added burden districts would incur by having new charters. Although the state picks up the $11,000-per-pupil tab for charter students, the district must foot the bill for transportation and special education costs.

Pryor told the state school board that while he is very cognizant that districts like Bridgeport are underfunded, he disagreed with the argument that charter schools represent an added expense. Rather, he called charters an added investment in the community.

Whether students are in traditional public schools or charter schools, the district still must pay for transportation and special education, Pryor added.